Projectile weapon

ABSTRACT

A weapon using a barrel through which a projectile travels being propelled through the use of gas expansion. An expansion chamber communicates with the barrel and is “plugged” using a projectile. The expansion chamber is filled with a gas. In the preferred embodiment, the projectile has a collar which seals the opening between the expansion chamber and the barrel. Once the expansion chamber is filled with a gas, the gas is rapidly expanded, thereby forcing the projectile to be propelled through said barrel. In the preferred embodiment, the gas includes a combustible hydrocarbon; in other embodiments, the gas is expanded by thermal means using a high voltage electrical arc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to weapons and more particularly to projectile weapons.

[0002] As long as man has existed, there have been projectile weapons. While stones were the first used, these quickly developed into spears and then to bows and arrows. The discovery of gun powder in 221 B.C. quietly initiated the development of guns; it wasn't until 1537 when the first muzzle loaders were invented. These were followed by a quick succession of weapons: naval 1779; revolving cylinder 1835; and the breech-loading gun in 1859.

[0003] Gun powder proved to be the thread that made all of these weapons effective. When alternatives to the solid explosive (gun powder) were tried, they were a dismal failure. Of note is the steam gun of 1824 which proved to be particularly ineffective.

[0004] While a great many improvements have been made to the basic gun powder, all of these improvements represent a “replacement” using improved solid explosives of the original black-powder.

[0005] These explosives are often heavy and difficult to use and protect. In times of war, the placement of the weapon is a critical matter as the explosives must be protected from an enemy attack.

[0006] Further, the solid explosives are heavy and as such present enhanced transportation problems and handling issues.

[0007] A toy has been home-built which shoots a potato. A straight tube is used and a potato is inserted into an open end. Gas, usually in the form of hair spray, is inserted into the tube through a small opening and then lit. The burning gas pops the potato from the end of the barrel, thereby creating a type of mortar. Obviously this type of apparatus does not create a serious weapon and by its very nature is used in “fun”.

[0008] It is clear from the forgoing that there is a need for a lighter, more efficient, and safer projectile weapon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Within this context, the description below relates to a hand-held weapon such as a rifle or a pistol; but, the invention is not so limited and includes such weapons as: tanks; naval guns; airplane cannon; and a variety of other weapons clear to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0010] The weapon uses a barrel through which a projectile travels, being propelled through the use of gas expansion. In the preferred embodiment, the barrel contains rifling to increase the accuracy of the weapon; but, in some embodiments, the barrel is smooth such that found in a mortar.

[0011] An expansion chamber communicates with the barrel. The expansion chamber usually has a diameter approximately the same or a little larger than the diameter of the barrel. In some embodiments of the invention, the expansion chamber has a much larger diameter than the barrel; in such embodiments, a guide is used to direct the projectile to a position between the expansion chamber and the barrel.

[0012] The projectile “plugs” the opening between the expansion chamber and the barrel. In the preferred embodiment, a collar having a diameter slightly less than the diameter than the barrel is used to “catch” the projectile before it fully enters the barrel.

[0013] In this embodiment, the projectile has two major portions: a central core having a diameter less than the barrel; and, a skirt having a diameter greater than that of the collar.

[0014] The projectile is pushed against the collar to form a sealing action of the expansion chamber.

[0015] The expansion chamber is filled with a gas. While a variety of gases are available for this purpose, the preferred embodiment uses a combustible hydrocarbon mixed with oxygen. In some embodiments, the gas in not combustible, but rather exhibits properties having a great deal of expansion when the gas is super-heated, such as by an electrical arc.

[0016] A variety of techniques are used to fill the expansion chamber with the gas. In some embodiments (such was where the weapon is hand-held), the gas is provided in a pressurized cannister which is secured via a valve with the expansion chamber. When the expansion chamber is to be charged, the valve is opened and the pressurized cannister injects a portion, or all, of its contents into the expansion chamber.

[0017] In other embodiments, a piston/carburetor type of arrangement is used. Combustible hydrocarbons are pulled into the piston during a loading cycle via the carburetor when the combustible hydrocarbons are mixed with oxygen. The piston then compresses the mixture which is released into the expansion chamber via a valve.

[0018] Those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize a variety of other techniques which may be used to accomplish the objective outlined above.

[0019] Once the expansion chamber is filled with a gas, the gas is rapidly expanded. In the case of a combustible hydrocarbon/oxygen mixture, a simple spark is able to cause this expansion. In the case of non-combustible gas, a high energy spark will cause the same expansion as experienced during a lightning bolt.

[0020] In some embodiments, the expansion chamber is actually a cartridge shaped casing which carries the projectile and the gas (ideally a combustible hydrocarbon/oxygen mixture) therein. The gas is expanded when an explosive element, such as a primer cap or the like, is exploded into the cartridge.

[0021] The rapidly expanding gas forces the projectile through the barrel to engage with the target. In the case when the projectile includes a skirt engaging the collar, then the force from the expanding gas causes the skirt to “collapse”, thereby allowing the projectile to be propelled through the barrel.

[0022] The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be more fully explained by the accompanying drawings and following description thereof.

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

[0023]FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates the expansion of a non-combustible gas used in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0025]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which liquid hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with oxygen to form the combustible gas.

[0026]FIG. 4 shows the preferred embodiment for the projectile.

[0027]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention for a hand-held weapon.

[0028]FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the invention using a cartridge.

[0029]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a mortar type arrangement and the shell respectively of an embodiment of the invention.

[0030]FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate three different applications for the present invention.

DRAWINGS IN DETAIL

[0031]FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Referencing FIG. 1A, projectile 12A has been forced into expansion chamber 10A by clip 14. Once placed within expansion chamber 10A, projectile 12A is moved as indicated by arrow 8A by gas pressure selectively supplied by loading chamber 15 which feeds pressurized gas behind projectile 12A via loading pipe 5.

[0033] Loading chamber 15 is charged with a combustible gas from cannister 17 which has been inserted into loading chamber 15 via screw cap I 8, forcing bayonet 16 to pierce the end of canister 17.

[0034] The gas within canister 17 is pre-mixed with oxygen and is chosen from a variety of hydrocarbons obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to: butane, gasoline, diesel, and others.

[0035] Valve 19A is closed, thereby preventing the combustible gas from loading chamber 15 to fully invade combustion chamber 10A.

[0036] Firing mechanism 9A is dormant.

[0037] Projectile 12A has skirt 13A attached thereto.

[0038] In this manner, projectile 12A is moved into barrel 11A as illustrated by FIG. 1B (projectile 12B in barrel 11B).

[0039] Skirt 13B, seals around collar 4 so that when valve 19B is opened, as indicated by arrow 8B, gas 7 flows into the expansion chamber 10B to fill the void.

[0040] Firing mechanism 9B is dormant.

[0041] Activation of the weapon occurs in FIG. 1C. Valve 19C is closed and the firing mechanism 9C is activated causing a spark to ignite the combustible gas 6 within expansion chamber 10C. Force 8C, caused by the expanding gas 7, causes skirt 13C to partially collapse as projectile 12C if forced past collar 4 into barrel 11C.

[0042] Once projectile 12C is propelled through barrel 11C, then the process repeats itself, returning to FIG. 1A.

[0043] While the illustrations of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C utilize canister 17 which has been preloaded with the combustible gas mixture, other embodiments of the invention provide for a mixing of the hydrocarbon liquid (now in a gas state) with oxygen immediately prior to the loading of the expansion chamber 10B.

[0044]FIG. 2 illustrates the expansion of a non-combustible gas used in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0045] In this embodiment of the invention, expansion chamber 20 is sealed by projectile 21 and is filled with a non-combustible gas. The non-combustible gas is chosen to have optimal thermal expansion characteristics. When arc 24 is passed between electrodes 23A and 23B, the non-combustible gas within expansion chamber 20 rapidly expands and propels projectile 21 through barrel 22 towards the chosen target.

[0046] This particular embodiment of the invention is particularly useful as there is no danger of explosions or fires as the gas used is non-combustible. Further, the present invention does not produce any “flash” which may be detected by an enemy.

[0047]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which liquid hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with oxygen to form the combustible gas.

[0048] In reference to FIG. 3A, liquid fuel 32 is supplied to carburetor 30 which also receives ambient oxygen 31. In the ideal application of this embodiment, liquid fuel 32 is also used to propel the vehicle (not shown) on which this weapon is mounted.

[0049] By opening valve 35A and pulling piston 33A back, as illustrated by arrow 37C, the gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygen is pulled into cylinder 34A as illustrated by arrows 37A.

[0050] During this operation, valve 36A is closed, thereby isolating expansion chamber 39 (with its projectile 38) from cylinder 34A.

[0051] When the back stroke of piston 33A is completed, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, valve 35B closes and valve 37B opens. As piston 33B moves to compress the gas mixture within cylinder 34B as illustrated by arrows 37D, the gas mixture is forced into expansion chamber 39 as illustrated by arrows 37B.

[0052] Once expansion chamber 39 is charged, the valves are closed and the gas mixture within expansion chamber 39 is activated to propel projectile 38 through the barrel.

[0053] A portion of the pressure expended within expansion chamber 39 is syphoned off to operate the motion of the piston 33 as outlined above.

[0054] This embodiment of the invention is ideal for mounting on a vehicle as the vehicle's own fuel source also serves as the fuel source for the weapon. Also, since the fuel is in a liquid state, a variety of techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art are readily available to keep the possibility of explosion to a minimum. Liquid hydrocarbons tend to burn, not explode, so traditional fire control techniques would also be employed should the fuel tank be ruptured by the enemy.

[0055]FIG. 4 shows the preferred embodiment for the projectile.

[0056] The projectile is made up of two basic components: core 40 and skirt 41. Skirt 41 is designed to provide the sealing action for the expansion chamber as outlined above, and to collapse when the weapon is fired.

[0057] While this configuration for the projectile is the preferred embodiment, other shapes are also available.

[0058]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention for a hand-held weapon.

[0059] The hand weapon of FIG. 5 includes a housing 50 in which the expansion chamber and barrel as outlined above are contained. Fuel is supplied by canister 51 which is inserted as indicated by arrows 54 and then secured by screw cap 53, which also forces a bayonet, not shown, to pierce canister 51.

[0060] The projectiles are supplied by clip 52 which is also inserted into housing 50.

[0061] Because of the use of the gas, the weight of the overall weapon is significantly reduced, thereby reducing the costs of transportation and the weight requirements placed upon the individual.

[0062]FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the invention using a cartridge.

[0063] Cartridge 61 is substantially an expansion chamber as outlined above. Contained within cartridge 61 is the gas as outlined above. In this embodiment, the gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygen.

[0064] Projectile 62 is secured to the end of cartridge 61, thereby forming a traditional appearing bullet. In this case though, the resulting cartridge is significantly lighter than a traditional bullet using gun powder or some other type of solid explosive.

[0065] Cap 61 discharges an explosive spark into the interior of cartridge 60, thereby igniting the hydrocarbons and propelling projectile 62.

[0066] This type of cartridge is useful for all existing hand-held weapons as well as mobile weapons such as machine guns, artillery, air-craft cannons, and a variety of other applications obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0067] Implementation of this type of cartridge only requires a change in the manufacture of the cartridges, not of the weapons themselves as the cartridge's dimensions remain the same.

[0068] Further, through the use of “clean” hydrocarbons, deposits on the interior of the barrel are reduced to a minimum, especially when compared with the current art of solid explosives.

[0069]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a mortar type arrangement and the shell respectively of an embodiment of the invention.

[0070] Tube 71 is configured to accept mortar shell 70 as indicated by arrows 76. Mortar shell 70 falls into tube 71 where contacts 72 engage charged contacts 73. This connection causes explosive 73 to ignite, thereby igniting the gas within expansion chamber 74.

[0071] As the gas within expansion chamber 74 expands, the expanding gas is discharged through jets 77 which propel mortar shell 70 towards the enemy.

[0072] Further, the burning of the gases within expansion chamber 74 ignite fuse 78, which burns into chamber 75 and its attendant explosive material.

[0073] In one embodiment of the invention, the explosive within chamber 75 is another explosive gas; thereby providing for an extremely light mortar round. In some embodiments, a contact is provided at the nose of mortar shell 70 and is used to ignite the explosives within chamber 75.

[0074] This embodiment of the invention varies from the earlier discussions in that the expansion chamber itself becomes part of the projectile, thereby leaving no waste.

[0075] In another embodiment of this invention, mortar shell 70 does not contain an expansion chamber, rather the expansion chamber is contained within tube 71.

[0076]FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate three different applications for the present invention.

[0077] As shown in these illustrations, the present invention has applications not only to handheld weapons but also to aircraft 80, ground based vehicles 81, and boats 82.

[0078] It is clear that the present invention creates a highly improved projectile weapon which is easier to transport, safer, and more efficient than the current art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A projectile weapon comprising: a) a barrel through which a projectile travels; b) an expansion chamber communicating with said barrel, said expansion chamber filled with a gas; c) a projectile positioned between said barrel and said expansion chamber; and, d) means for causing said gas to expand rapidly, thereby forcing said projectile to be propelled through said barrel.
 2. The projectile weapon according to claim 1, further including means for filling said expansion chamber with said gas.
 3. The projectile weapon according to claim 2, further including a collar positioned between said expansion chamber and said barrel, said collar having a diameter less than a diameter of said barrel.
 4. The projectile weapon according to claim 3, wherein said projectile includes: a) a central core; and, b) a skirt, a diameter of said skirt being larger than the diameter of said collar.
 5. The projectile weapon according to claim 4, wherein said skirt is configured to collapse as said projectile is propelled past said collar.
 6. The projectile weapon according to claim 5, further including means for driving said projectile against said collar such that the skirt of said projectile substantially seals said collar prior to operation of said means for filling said expansion chamber with said gas.
 7. The projectile weapon according to claim 2, wherein said gas is combustible.
 8. The projectile weapon according to claim 7, wherein said gas having hydrocarbons and oxygen therein.
 9. The projectile weapon according to claim 8, further including a mixing chamber wherein said hydrocarbons and oxygen are mixed before said gas is communicated to said expansion chamber.
 10. The projectile weapon according to claim 2, wherein said gas is not combustible.
 11. The projectile weapon according to claim 10, wherein said means for causing said gas to expand rapidly includes means for quickly heating said gas in said expansion chamber.
 12. The projectile weapon according to claim 11, wherein said means for quickly heating said gas in said expansion chamber includes means for passing an electrical arc through said expansion chamber.
 13. The projectile weapon according to claim 1, wherein said expansion chamber and said projectile form a cartridge containing said gas.
 14. The projectile weapon according to claim 13, a) wherein said cartridge includes an explosive cap communicating with said gas; and, b) wherein said means for causing said gas to expand rapidly includes means for causing said explosive cap to ignite.
 15. A weapon comprising: a) a barrel through which a projectile travels; b) an expansion chamber communicating with said barrel, said expansion chamber filled with a gas; c) a collar positioned between said expansion chamber and said barrel, said collar having a diameter less than a diameter of said barrel; d) a projectile positioned between said barrel and said expansion chamber, said projectile having, 1) a central core, and, 2) a skirt, a diameter of said skirt being larger than the diameter of said collar; e) means for filling said expansion chamber with said gas; and, f) means for causing said gas to expand rapidly, thereby forcing said projectile is propelled through said barrel.
 16. The projectile weapon according to claim 15, wherein said skirt is configured to collapse as said projectile is propelled past said collar.
 17. The projectile weapon according to claim 16, further including a mixing chamber wherein hydrocarbons and oxygen are mixed to form the gas communicated to said expansion chamber.
 18. A weapon comprising: a) a cartridge having, 1) an expansion chamber having an open end therein, 2) a projectile secured to the open end of said expansion chamber such that an interior of said expansion chamber is sealed, and, 3) a combustible gas contained within said expansion chamber; b) a barrel accepting said cartridge and through which a propelled projectile travels; c) means for igniting said combustible gas within said cartridge.
 19. The weapon according to claim 18, a) wherein said cartridge includes an explosive cap communicating with said gas; and, b) wherein said means for igniting includes means for causing said explosive cap to ignite. 